Dear Bros,
It is true that we need to 出外靠朋友 but 朋友有很多种。Some groups offer Business networking opportunites, some groups offer none adaptive Singaporeans to remain connected to our "roots", some groups are just for entertainment (or cheonging) purposes while others provide occasional comfort when the going gets tough.
One of the brother mentioned that if he wanted to mix around only with Singaporeans, he'd better off staying in Singapore, which is very true. We are overseas for a reason, be it for family, for career, for aspirations, to escape "whatever not suitable to be mentioned" or what have you not and therefore the kind of groups that will serve each purpose best will differ.
China is not a "friendly" place, so try not to take anything for granted lest one does not mind being constantly taken for rides. It is easy to loose focus and direction with ample temptations available at all times.
Personally, I would prefer just to be in a small group of good friends as I find that most comforting. Too big a group will result in too many difference in personalities, which requires different ways of "dealing" with and that can become rather tiring, especially when we have to constantly "deal" with a multitude of Chinese waiting in line to skin us alive. But then again, that's probably just my view and I do not speak for all other borthers in the Forum or in China for that matter.
Anyway, a very warm welcome to all brothers coming to Shanghai or China. Have fun and always be careful.
Cheerio~!
Shanghaitan
